Phyllis and Kenny first met while both students at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. Their story starts like many others … depends on who you ask! Phyllis recalls their first encounter to have been sparked over her savvy financial move to sell her parking pass to Kenny who had tired of taking the bus to school. He however, remembers meeting Phyllis two years prior at a student club meeting, when he was new to town.

While the time pressures of student life kept them apart, they credit their fairy tale romance to the wisdom of the SFU administration who saw fit to put both the philosophy and business faculties in the same building.“Eventually, she relearned my name, and we started to spend time together alone when we both had night classes” says Kenny. Late night dinners and witty conversations soon blossomed into love.

Phyllis knew Kenny was the one because of their shared ability to discuss feelings openly without judgment. It was during these times that they learned how to better love each other that made them the perfect match. “Kenny is very easy-going and caring. He likes to play things by ear, whereas I’m the one who likes to plan and organize.” Despite their differences, they usually know what the other is thinking “except one time when he told one of my bridesmaids my favorite cake flavor is strawberry vanilla, which I have no idea where he got that idea from… he is forgetful after all”!

For Kenny, Phyllis’s intelligence and thoughtfulness towards others coupled with her playful sense of humor, convinced him he had found the woman of his dreams. They love to pursue their shared passions, spending time together alone, appreciating food and wine around the world. They both love to ski and cycle “great ways to work off the extra calories” laughs Phyllis.

After finishing her day as an accountant at an asset management fund, Phyllis loves to let her creative side loose and do arts and crafts. Kenny pursued his passion for food and went to culinary school, working at various San Francisco restaurants before furthering his studies and transitioning into the wine and spirits industry. Much to Phyllis’s delight, she’s a bit spoiled by his love of home cooking and the farm fresh ingredients of local San Francisco food producers.

It was in the mountains of Whistler, a place close to their hearts since it’s where they both learned how to ski, that Kenny decided to propose. The custom made solitary ring with a tapered band and minimal style came all the way from Hong Kong, where a friend of the couple sourced the perfect stone. Kenny had to face some nail biting concerns of the precious box not arriving on time “Because the ring was fighting for airspace with Santa Claus, it finally got delivered just one day before our trip to Whistler” says Kenny, laughing at the thought of his proposal challenges.

The logistical delays didn’t end there for Kenny. Finally ready to propose during a romantic walk with Phyllis to see the night lights in the village, he found that the quiet spot he had scouted online was now covered in four feet of snow. Luckily he found a nearby spot providing an ideal solution and finally had the opportunity to say the words he had been waiting to say.

They chose the iconic Vancouver Club as their venue, a private member club situated in one of the oldest heritage buildings in the city. “Kenny used to manage their famed wine cellar, so we were familiar with the club and knew the people there well.” Phyllis loved their high end guest experience, the sophistication of their interiors, and the quality of their food. “We also wanted a small wedding in one location, so our guests didn’t have to move from one place to another. The Vancouver Club had the perfect setting to allow us to do just that."

“It’s definitely a true fact that brides need to go into a bridal shop with an open mind.” Phyllis explains of her shopping process. “I was obsessed with the idea of naked sleeves, but after trying on wedding gowns with that design, I wasn’t getting the right feeling and knew I had to change it up and try other styles. I ended up falling in love with a sweetheart A-line gown detailed with an array of textures and romantic laces by Monique Lhuillier.”

Phyllis wanted the perfect pair of shoes to go with her wedding gown and took a long time to make up her mind. “My gown was already full of beautiful laces, so I was hoping the shoes could provide something different to enhance the overall look. I was after something that is simple and elegant that makes a bold statement.”

While browsing online, it was the unique pearl stiletto heel of the Sofia pumps that immediately caught her eyes. “It’s simple but definitely has a lot of character.” They were the ones! “The online purchasing process was easy and smooth. The staff was friendly and helpful in answering my questions and ensuring I get what I needed.”

“We wanted an intimate wedding, so we put a lot of thought into our guest list to make it small and still managed to include all the important people in our lives” explains Phyllis. Guests came from all over the world - Hong Kong, London, U.S. and Australia. “As much as the day is about us, it was equally important that we share our happiness with those that matter most to us.”

Careful attention to detail permeated the entire wedding. Phyllis’s creative side came into play when she decided to custom design the place cards, menus and vow booklets by hand. “I love to practice modern calligraphy in my spare time, and I was excited to put a unique personal touch to my wedding stationary.”

Always organized and a purveyor of exceptionally good taste, Phyllis planned the wedding herself, calling in her event planner friend Allie to help as the day-of coordinator. Kristy and Ken from Blush Wedding Photography were put in charge of capturing every moment and memory since the couple’s engagement photos. “They are absolutely the best photographers to work with” says Phyllis with a smile.

The most memorable part of the wedding? The first look and the vow exchange. Phyllis and Kenny wrote their own vows, kept secret of course, and it made their wedding day so much more special hearing it for the first time at the ceremony.

One of the most challenging parts of the planning was the timing as there were a lot of moving pieces and the couple had to be at a certain place by a certain time. “Things will go wrong on the wedding day, no matter how well you’ve planned it. Kenny left the gift he prepared for me in the limo” laughs Phyllis.

Phyllis and Kenny chose an elegant and timeless wedding theme: classic and romantic with vintage elements, soft accents of gold, glassware and abundant candlelight and lush florals. To match with the elegant wedding theme, they hired a harp trio that played throughout the celebration.

The cocktail reception allowed them to focus on spending time with their 80 guests and thank them personally for attending, especially the international ones.

An intimate evening dinner was attended mostly by family and the wedding party and they were able to relax and enjoy being with their loved ones and each other.

“Do not let the planning and logistics take away from the true meaning of your wedding day. Embrace the surprises as they come. The day will be packed, but my photographer reminded me to spend some time alone with my husband to truly enjoy the moment and allow everything to sink in. That was the best advice given to me, and I wish to pass that along.”

Visiting sacred Japanese temples and walking under the falling cherry blossoms was a dream come true for both of them.